Formal Lab Report Format

Zenith Science

Title: The effect of the ______on the ______.

I. Question:

The question must be directly related to what is being found out in the experiment. It must be testable and observable. No personal pronouns (I, you, we, them, he, she, it, etc.). Don’t forget the question mark at the end!!!

II. Background Information:

*Format of Background Information

  • You must answer questions in paragraph form.
  • It must include at least 3 cited sources (in text citations).
  • It must have at least 7 sentences.

*What should be included in Background Information

1. A basic introduction to the experiment. A topic sentence.

  • Include the scientific question and the purpose of the experiment.

2. Include observations and prior knowledge about the experiment.

  • Use all 5 senses to describe the main materials used and concepts addressed.
  • Careful, NO 1stor2nd PERSON PRONOUNS (I, we, you)

3. Write definitions of important words.

4. Concluding/recap sentence. Transition to the hypothesis.

III. Hypothesis:

If the independent variable (the purposeful change; describe the action; must list all I.V.’s), then dependent variable (the measurable result or response of the change; describe the reaction; must choose one of the I.V.’s).

IV. Experimental Procedures:

A. Procedure: A numbered, step-by-step list of instructions to carry out the experiment. These need to be detailed enough so that if you left the room, another person would be able to repeat it without asking you any questions.

B. Variables:

  1. Independent Variable—the variable that is purposely changed or manipulated.
  2. Dependent Variable—the variable that measures the change (what you are measuring, your results).
  3. Constants—all the factors that remain the same throughout the experiment.
  4. Control—A way to detect any hidden variable that may be changing without you knowing. The part of the experiment that serves as a standard for a comparison. The control may be a “no treatment” group. You can think of this as “normal conditions”—what is not changed.

V. Data, Calculations, and Graphs:

A. Data Table

The data table must include:

  1. A title
  2. The independent variable (the purposeful change) in the left column.
  3. The dependent variable (the results)
  4. Units (must be metric)
  5. At least 3 trials (This means the experimenter must test the same thing at least three times in order to get at least three sets of results.). Remember, the more trials you do, the more accurate your results.
  6. Averages (mean) for the trials.

Example:

B. Calculations

The following must be included in this section:

  1. Show work on how averages were calculated (include metric units)
  2. Show work on how percentages were calculated
  3. Any other applicable calculations
  4. Label all calculations
C. Graphs
  • The graph should show the relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable. Graphs to show further information can also be included here (use more than one graph to better illustrate your results).
  • The following must be included in this section:
  1. A proper scientific title
  2. Labels for the x-axis (independent variable) and y-axis (dependent variable)
  3. A legend (if appropriate).
  4. Units used (must be metric)

Example:

Line graph showing the effect of the Independent variable on the dependent variable

VI. Analysis:

*What should be included in the Analysis…(must be written in paragraph form)

  1. Restate and answer the scientific question.
  • Use data to support the answer (actual numbers are needed!).

2. Interpret the data. This is where graphs should be interpreted in your write-up!

  • Create a scientific explanation for the results.
  • Use the collected background information to support the explanation.
  • Include and discuss a calculated average, trends, and differences apparent on graphs.

3. What sources of error occurred in the experiment?

  • Could the results have been affected by any other variable other than the independent variable?
  • Should there have been more constants? Why or why not?

4. Were there any data anomalies?

  • Did anything unexpected occur in the data? If so, what was it?

5. If this experiment was repeated, what could be changed to improve it?

  • Experiments can always be improved. Do not say that everything was perfect and nothing could be changed. It tells the reader that you did not think hard enough about it!

VII. Conclusion:

*What should be included in the Conclusion…(must be written in paragraph form)

  1. Restate the original hypothesis.
  2. Did the results support the hypothesis? Why or why not?
  3. How can this experiment be related to real life? You must include at least one example.
  4. What other questions are raised from this experiment? What other types of experiments could follow this experiment? Come up with at least two.
Works Cited
  1. Alphabetize by author’s last name.

****Finally, Remember the following****

  • NO 1st or 2nd person pronouns (I, you, me)!
  • LABEL EACH SECTION WITH A ROMAN NUMERAL!
  • ALL MEASUREMENTS MUST BE RECORDED IN THE METRIC SYSTEM!
  • MAKE SURE SPELLING, PUNCTUATION, AND GRAMMAR ARE CORRECT.